Acute water restrictions start for the majority of lower Sunshine Coast residents as of Friday, Aug. 11, at noon.
As dry weather continues, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is declaring Stage 3 for the Chapman Water System "to protect our water supply now and into late summer," an Aug. 8 SCRD news release says.
“Even with a forecast showing some precipitation this week, dry weather, needing to meet environmental creek flows for fish habitat, and the ongoing community demand, the water level at Chapman Lake continues to drop,” the SCRD's manager of Utility Services, Shane Walkey, said in the release. “At this time, we really need residents to conserve water at every opportunity, inside and outside the home."
If hot, dry weather persists, a move to Stage 4 restrictions may come by late August or early September, Walkey added.
In 2022, the SCRD declared Stage 3 restrictions for the Chapman system on Aug. 23, declaring Stage 4 – which would last three months – less than two weeks later.
The importance of conserving water so that there's enough supply should there be forest fires was also emphasized in the release, as was that the province has sent the SCRD a letter urging conservation in light of a Level 4 (out of five) drought.
Stage 3 restrictions mean:
- Lawn watering is not permitted
- Watering with sprinklers, soaker hoses or micro-spray is not permitted.
- Watering with handheld hoses with spray trigger nozzles, handheld containers or drip-irrigation is permitted up to one hour a day for trees, shrubs or flowers and up to two hours a day for food-producing plants and trees and only between 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Commercial food-producing farms pay a metered rate for water and are exempt from Stage 3.)
- Washing vehicles and boats is only permitted to wash off sea water.
- Washing sidewalks and driveways, windows or exterior building surfaces is not allowed, except for heath and safety reasons.
- Filling swimming pools, spas, garden ponds, or fountains is prohibited.
Fines for Stage 3 violations are $400. To submit bylaw complaints, visit www.scrd.ca/bylaw-complaint-form.
Residents can monitor the water storage level of Chapman Lake – which was at 77 per cent on Aug. 2 and is at 75 per cent as of Aug. 3 – on the SCRD website. One can also find more information on water regulations at the site.
Other systems' restrictions
SCRD water systems of Egmont, Cove Cay, North Pender Harbour, Langdale, Soames Point and Granthams Landing are at Stage 1 restrictions. South Pender Habour is at Stage 3 restrictions while Eastbourne is at Stage 4.
